NETWORKING IS A LONG TERM INVESTMENT

Today networking has become an essential aspect of your job search. Even if you are well established in your job and have no plans of moving or advancing your career soon, networking has proven to be a valuable tool. Today, studies have shown that up to 80% of jobs are never advertised – they are filled by word of mouth. So it’s who you know and who knows you that matters. You must develop relationships and connections within your network to have more opportunities to advance your career. Attending meetings and social events hosted by your professional association is a great way to connect with people in your field.

Know how to make your pitch

A key part of effective networking is being clear about your employment goals. A careful self-assessment can provide pertinent information about who you are and what you want when communicating with contacts. Prepare talking points and practice delivering them, whether you have 10 seconds for an elevator pitch, 60 seconds for a brief “chat”

Keep track of your contacts

When a contact gives you leads or referrals, be sure to ask for permission to use the contact's name. Keep detailed records of your networking activity: to whom did you talk, about what, when, and what were the results? For each contact, identify next steps and develop a reliable follow-up system. A collection of index cards will work; so will a notebook or computer application. The key is to be persistent and actually follow up.

ALWAYS BE OPEN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

It’s important to understand that opportunities not only present themselves in the form of new jobs, but they can also mean meeting an important person in the industry that can change the course of your career, or just thought processes